CLASS 2A STATE SOCCER

Class 2A boys soccer preview: St. Viator wants to make talk a reality

The St. Viator boys soccer team hasn't shied away from discussing a state championship this season, and the Lions are now within two victories of making it a reality.

The next step in their quest for a second state crown is a Class 2A semifinal Friday at 1 p.m. against Troy Triad at North Central College.

"We know we have the talent; we've just had to put the effort in and show enough heart," senior forward Billy Hamilton said after scoring two goals in Tuesday's 3-1 supersectional triumph over St. Joseph. "We've talked about being here the whole season."

One of the main reasons the Lions' have targeted this weekend is their scoring attack. They have 107 goals (3.96 goals per game) and have outscored their five playoff opponents 28-3.

Senior midfielder Alan Aboona's 35 goals and 14 assists lead the way. Senior midfielder Kevin Cavers' 15 goals are next in line, followed by Trevor Wheeler's 12. Hamilton has eight goals and a team-high 17 assists, and the team's sweeper, senior Brendan King, has scored five times.

"When we get one or two touches and the ball keeps moving, that's when we're at our best," Aboona said. "Even when we're down, we believe we're going to score because we have all year."

While the offense has had no trouble clicking, the defense has been susceptible to giving up cheap goals. In mid-October junior Scott Faul stepped in full-time in net after he and senior Pat Windle previously had split time. Even with the change, the Lions know where their strength lies.

"One of these games, one of those bad goals is going to cost us," King said. "When we score some quick goals, it takes some pressure off us. When we're up on people, we're pretty confident that it will stay that way."

St. Viator (22-4-1) knows better than to look past Troy Triad, but a potential rematch with defending Class 2A state champion Peoria Notre Dame (22-2-1) could be on tap Saturday. The Lions have eyed the rematch since they blew a 2-0 halftime lead in a 3-2 loss to the Irish in Peoria on Oct. 3.

The loss showed the Lions were good enough to compete with anyone, but it also taught a lesson about putting away an opponent.

"We want another shot at them badly," the Wisconsin-bound Wheeler said. "The further we got into the playoffs, the more realistic (playing them again) became."